To the editor: Final 12 months’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires underscored one thing we’ve lengthy recognized on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Catastrophe planning for pets is crucial to defending individuals. We’re grateful to see California’s leaders stepping up by introducing the Providing Essential Temporary Shelter Assistance for Emergencies (PETSAFE) Act to assist communities higher put together and take care of pets earlier than, throughout and after catastrophe strikes (“Pets needed help during the L.A. firestorm. A new bill aims to improve preparedness,” Feb. 24).
Led by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the PETSAFE Act would amend an current federal grant program to assist communities put money into animal-related emergency preparedness. It could improve the portion of prices lined by the federal authorities from 50% to 90% for pet-related emergency preparedness actions.
Investing in assets, coaching and planning that embody pets in emergency response plans is crucial to stopping additional loss and struggling, and we thank Rep. Chu and Sen. Schiff for his or her management on the PETSAFE Act. We urge Congress to go this life-saving invoice to higher shield individuals and pets throughout disasters.
Matt Bershadker, New York Metropolis
This author is the president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
